Picking the right college is one of the most important decisions a high school student can make, but when should they start researching? Although most students typically don’t start until junior year, they should start earlier than that. In fact, the earlier your child starts their college hunt, the better equipped they’ll be to make informed decisions that steadily move them toward their goal.
How Early Should You Start Looking at Colleges?
Your child should start researching potential colleges in their sophomore year. They shouldn’t worry about finalizing their list just yet, but they should make note of colleges that appeal to them. By starting in their sophomore year, they’ll have a full year to decide which colleges they want to visit in person, research their average student profile, decide when they want to finalize their application, and more.
This time is mostly for your child to discover what they want from a college and to look for schools that can offer that experience and much more. They should pay close attention to the testing policy for each school on their list—unless they’re applying only to University of California or California State University schools, which remain test blind—as they’ve changed a lot over the last few years.
While test-optional schools don’t penalize applicants who opt out of submitting an ACT® or SAT® score, those who submit their scores have a higher chance of being admitted. Test-flexible schools let your student choose to submit any of the following test scores to fulfill the standardized test requirements in their application:
- Advanced Placement® (AP®) scores
- International Baccalaureate® (IB) scores
- ACT scores
- SAT scores
And many schools have returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for admission, including Harvard, Cornell, Dartmouth, Brown, MIT, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins. If your child will graduate in 2028 or beyond, it is likely that more schools will join this growing list. It’s far better to prepare for a test your child may not need than to learn at the last minute that policies have changed!
Standardized Test Planning
Standardized tests are evolving. Rather than choosing from only the traditional paper-and-pencil ACT or SAT, your child has the option to take the:
- Digital SAT®
- Digital Enhanced ACT®
- Paper Classic ACT
- Paper Enhanced ACT
The ACT is in the process of transitioning to a new Enhanced ACT. Starting in September 2025, national test-takers will take this new test regardless of whether they opt for digital or paper-based administration. Students who test during the school day will continue to see the Classic ACT until Spring 2026.
The biggest choice to make is really the choice between the SAT and the ACT. The tests cover similar topics and skills but have many subtle differences that could make one test better for your child than the other. It’s also worth considering whether your child will take the SAT or ACT as a required test at school.
Once you and your child have decided on a test, it’s time to create a plan for test prep. High school classes alone do not adequately prepare students for these tests, so additional work will be necessary.
Early Decision vs Early Action: Which Is Right for You?
Another perk of having your child research colleges in their sophomore year is they can take the time to decide if they want to apply through early decision or early action.
Both early decision and early action allow your child to submit their college applications before the regular admissions cycle. This comes with a catch, though. If your child is admitted to a school through early decision, they enter a binding agreement that requires them to attend that institution. In other words, the first early decision school that extends an offer to your child is the college they’ll attend. They’ll have to rescind any outstanding applications from other schools. Early action isn’t binding, so your child has more say in which school they choose to attend.
For a detailed breakdown of these two early admissions options, check out this blog.
Create a Long-Term College Plan
A harsh reality most parents may not realize initially is that their child’s high school guidance counselor doesn’t have a ton of time to devote to their individual goals. Counselors are juggling a ton of students and can mostly provide a bird’s eye view of what your child needs to do if they want to get into college.
Working with a college admissions counselor can give your child the personalized advice they need to create a competitive application for more selective colleges. College admissions counselors are experts in the college admissions process and can provide invaluable insights into the latest trends and expectations. They can help your child decide how many AP classes to take, which extracurriculars would be most meaningful both to the child and their long-term goals, and help them stay on top of ACT, SAT, or AP prep.
What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing a College?
Academics and Class Size
When it’s time for your child to start narrowing down their options, it can be helpful to start with their desired major. While many colleges offer a wide range of majors, some schools are well-known for certain fields or academic specialties. A few questions your child should consider when narrowing their college list are:
- Do they have the major or area of study your child is passionate about?
- Are there opportunities for research, internships, or connections with professionals in this field?
Many students don’t yet have an ideal major in mind when applying to college, and that’s okay, too! A major shouldn’t be the primary factor in deciding which college to attend.
It’s also important to think about class sizes and the student-to-faculty ratio. The size of the classes can affect your child’s overall learning experience. Some students thrive in large auditorium-style lecture halls because they are able to independently guide their studies; other students much prefer smaller seminar-style classes that allow for greater student-professor interaction. Your child should carefully consider their particular learning style and the kind of learning environment they will thrive in.
Campus Life and Location
Another major factor in deciding where to apply is the school’s campus life and location.
Beyond academics, your child should consider what environment can help them grow the most. Is a strong sense of community important to them? Would they rather stay close to family or explore a new location? These factors can significantly influence your child’s college experience.
While academics are important, your child will have a life outside of the classroom. They should consider whether the schools on their list offer clubs or organizations aligned with their interests. Are there opportunities for networking, volunteering, or leadership roles that will help your child grow both personally and professionally?
To truly understand a school’s culture, we recommend attending guided campus tours for colleges on your child’s list. You may not be able to attend every school on the list, but try to prioritize those that interests your child the most.
When Should You Finalize Your College List?
For most students, the process of finalizing the college list happens during the summer before their senior year. This is especially important for those applying to schools with early deadlines, such as early decision or early action since, by this time, your child should have a pretty clear sense of which schools they want to attend based on your research and campus visits.
Your child’s junior year is the time to start seriously narrowing your college list. If you haven’t already, this is when your child should start visiting campuses, attend college fairs, and really dive into the specifics of each school. If they’ve been researching colleges for a year or more, they should already have an idea of what they want. By the time your child reaches senior year, they should be in a position to apply confidently to a handful of schools that meet their needs.
How Do You Finalize a College List?
Once they’ve done their research and visited campuses (in-person or virtually), it’s time to make those final decisions. Finalizing their college list is about matching their goals with the right academic and social environment.
Revisit Your Priorities
When it’s time for your child to finalize their list, they should take a step back and revisit their priorities. Think about the academic programs that matter most to them, the campus culture, the cost, and the competitiveness of each school. Are they still drawn to the schools they originally considered, or have their preferences shifted as they’ve learned more about themselves?
Stay Organized
This process can feel like a lot to manage, so it’s important to stay organized. Your child can use tools like college comparison charts, checklists, or spreadsheets to track the key aspects of each school. This will help them make a side-by-side comparison of their top choices and see which schools best match their needs.
Work With a College Counselor for Personalized Advice
Finalizing their college list can be challenging, but they don’t have to do it alone. Working with a C2 Education college counselor can make this process much easier. Whether your child prefers to meet in person or online, C2’s counselors are experts in the college admissions process. They’ll take the time to understand their unique goals and help them navigate the changing landscape of college admissions.
C2’s counselors can assist them in building a high school plan that will give them a competitive edge when applying to their dream colleges. They’ll help them stay on track with SAT prep or ACT prep, AP class selection, and their overall admissions strategy. With the right guidance, you’ll feel confident in your final list.
Is It Ever Too Early to Start Researching Colleges?
No, it’s never too early. In fact, the earlier your child starts, the better prepared they’ll be. Even as a freshman, your child can begin exploring options by attending college fairs, browsing school websites, or talking to older students about their experiences. This early exposure helps your child develop a clearer understanding of what they want from a college and builds confidence as they move through high school.
Exploring early also helps reduce the pressure when it’s time to apply. If they start researching colleges in their first or second year of high school, they’ll have a clearer picture of what they’re looking for by the time senior year rolls around.
In the end, researching colleges early allows them to make decisions based on what’s best for them—not just what’s popular or convenient. With time to think things through, they’ll be able to craft a college list that matches their academic goals, personal interests, and future aspirations. Whether they’re starting their search in sophomore year or already in their junior year, there’s no better time to begin their college journey than now.
And remember, with the right guidance—like C2 Education’s personalized counseling services—they’ll have all the tools they need to make the best choices for their future.
